News

NLC President Leads Protesters To National Assembly, say Nigerians are dying of hunger

Published

10 months ago

February 27, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…as NASS Leadership say efforts on to urgently address problem

By Gloria Ikibah

The Nigeria labour Congress NLC, has commenced its two-day national protest in Abuja.

The protest strated from the Labour House in Abuja at about 9.36am with members of other Labour like the Medical and Health Workers Union of Nigeria, FCT Council, National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives, Nigeria Union of Teachers, Construction Workers Union among others.

Also present at the protest was former Country Rep. ActionAid Nigeria, Ene Obi, Presidential Candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Siwore among others.

To make their grievances known on the current economichardshipin the country, the protesters had placards with inscriptions such as “#END POVERTY AND HUNGER”, “#FIX LOCAL REFINERIES END SUBSIDY “, “#END NAIRA DEVALUATION; TAX THE RICH SUBSIDISE THE POOR” among others.

Addressing members of the national Assembly on Tuesday at the NASS complex, President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Joe Ajaero, who decried that Nigerians are dying of hunger as a result of the economic hardship in the country, urged the Federal Government to urgently address the situation.

Naijablitznews.com reports that Comrade Ajaero led thousands of protesters including civil society organizations in protest against the economic hardship.

He said: “We thank everyone for making this happen. Today has come to pass. They said we should not be but we are here. We are here because there is hunger in the land. History will not forgive us if we do not protest at the level of hunger in the land. It is to signal to the authorities that there is a problem in the land”.

The NLC President further lamented the falling value of the Naira, growing insecurity, and rising unemployment among other issues.

He said that immediate measures must be taken to address the suffering, adding that the NLC would decide its next line of action.

The NLC President presented a letter containing their grievances to the representative of the leadership of the National Assembly.

Chairman Senate Committee on Labour, Employment and Productivity, Senator Diket Plang, who accepted the letter on behalf of the National Assembly said they were aware of the hardship and assured that efforts would be made to urgently address the situation.

He promised that the letter would be dispatched accordingly.

“We are supposed to stand in for Nigerians where it pinches them. I want to assure you that the National Assembly is very sensitive to what is happening, very sensitive.

“The leadership of the National Assembly, yesterday, the Senate President and the Speaker met. I was with them. We parted around 12 midnight and all the issue is about bringing solution to the suffering and yearnings of Nigerians.

“We are at a very critical period that Nigeria is taking a decision that would be of economic advantage to all of us.

“My plea and our plea is for the union to reason with us, understand with us. There is no way we will allow this thing to continue. But steps must be taken.

“Already the 15th agenda of the Memorandum of Understanding given between government and labour are being tackled. The last issue that is in place is the issue of minimum wage and negotiations are going on.

“There is no way that we will not end up with a resolution and a decision that will benefit Nigerians.

“I assure you that all of us, the press, general public, everybody is feeling it, but Nigeria will succeed. The president will succeed. We will succeed. We are very sensitive to it. So may God Almighty, help us to maximize our potentials, maximize our natural resources, may we intervene in such a way that all Nigerians will be able to exploit the God-given wealth that we have. We are all on the same page”, he stated.

Also, the Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Labour and Productivity, Rep. Adefarati Adeboyega, supported his Senate counterpart.

“We will take your letter to the leadership of the Nation Assembly. Very soon you will hear from us. We are facing the same challenges.

The economic challenges and hardship faced by Nigeria is borne by everybody.

“I want to assure you that the leadership of the National Assembly will look into your request and demands and take swift and bold action. I can assure you Nigeria will breathe again,” he added.

Naijablitznews.com reports that various security agencies were seen stationed around the entery and exit points of the National Assembly particularly the Federal Secretariat axis to ensure the orderliness of the action.

Despite several warning by some security agencies, the NLC went ahead with a protest against the economic hardship in the country.

Naijablitznews.com recalled that the DSS had last week warned that some persons are planning to use the opportunity of the planned protests by organized labour slated for 27th and 28th February to foment crisis and widespread violence.

The Director of Public Relations and Strategic Communications, DSS National Headquarters in Abuja, Dr. Peter Afunanya, in a statement, had called on labour to shelve the action meant to protest the economic situation in the country in the interest of peace.

He had urged that they pursue dialogue and negotiation rather than engaging in conducts that could heighten tensions in the country.

These entreaties however seem to have fell on deaf ears as the President of the NLC, Joe Ajaero, insisted that the protest must go on.

News

Nigeria Needs Comprehensive Reforms To Expand Its Tax Base – Speaker Abbas

Published

7 minutes ago

December 18, 2024

Gloria Ikibah

…say we’re consulting stakeholders to address concerns of 4 tax bill

…assure NASS will ensure equity, protection of vulnerable Nigerians

By Gloria Ikibah

Speaker of the House of Representatives Rep. Tajudeen Abbas has said that Nigeria needs “comprehensive tax reforms to broaden the nation’s tax base.

Speaker Abbas stated this while delivering the votes of thanks during the presentation of the 2025 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly by President Tinubu, said that the leadership of the House has commenced a series of engagements with the relevant stakeholders to address the concerns raised on the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

He reiterated the commitment of the House, and indeed the National Assembly to ensure equity and the protection of vulnerable Nigerians.

He said, “Nigeria’s low tax revenue also remains a major constraint. Our tax-to-GDP ratio, currently at approximately 10.9 per cent for 2024, is among the lowest in Africa, significantly below the continental average of 15.6 per cent. In comparison, South Africa’s tax-to-GDP ratio stands at 25.4 per cent, while Rwanda and Ghana, with much smaller populations, report ratios of 15.1 per cent and 14.1 per cent, respectively.

“Even our VAT collection efficiency – at approximately 20 per cent – is notably below the near 70 per cent efficiency achieved by South Africa, Equatorial Guinea, and Zambia.”

“Addressing these challenges requires urgent and comprehensive tax reforms to broaden our tax base, improve compliance, streamline administration and reduce reliance on borrowing.”

Speaker Abbas, therefore, stated the preparedness of the National Assembly to work with the President Tinubu-led administration towards achieving the required reforms.

“The National Assembly will continue to work with your administration to ensure that such reforms are equitable, effective, and considerate of the needs of vulnerable populations.

“To this end, we have engaged stakeholders to address concerns raised on the tax reform bills, fostering trust and cooperation. I have personally led numerous high-level meetings and consultations with state governors and other key stakeholders on this issue, achieving positive outcomes”, he added

According to Speaker Abbas, the reforms by the Tinubu administration have “disrupted the status quo, sparking resistance from vested interests.”

He added: “Yet, these courageous measures underscore your resolve to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians.”

“The National Assembly stands ready to support these reforms through legislative backing and to facilitate public engagement for greater understanding and acceptance.”

He stated that collaboration between the three arms of the government remains essential to achieving the shared objectives.

News

TALL Forcast: 2025 Budget will bring down inflation to 15%, dollar to N1,500-Tinubu

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Naijablitznews

President Bola Tinubu has said that the 2025 budget forecasts that inflation will decline from current 34.6% to 15% next year.

He said this during his presentation of the N47.9 trillion 2025 budget proposal to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday.

The President also said that the exchange rate will improve from approximately N1,700 per dollar to N1,500.

According to Tinubu, “this is an ambitious but necessary budget to secure our future.”

“The Budget projects inflation will decline from the current rate of 34.6 per cent to 15 per cent next year, while the exchange rate will improve from approximately 1,700 naira per US dollar to 1,500 naira, and a base crude oil production assumption of 2.06 million barrels per day,”Tinubu said.

He said the budget projections are based upon observations such as reduction of petroleum products importation, increased export of finished petroleum products, bumper harvest driven by enhanced security, reducing reliance on food imports, among others.

Tinubu listed highlights of the budget to include defence and security – N4.91tn, infrastructure – N4.06tn, health – N2.4tn, education – N3.5tn, among others.

Nigerians are grappling with economic hardship following incessant increase in inflation and volatile exchange rate that has seen dollar exchange as high as N1,700 in recent days.

On Monday, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) said Nigeria’s headline inflation rate rose to 34.60% in November 2024 from 33.88% in October 2024.

The November inflation rate showed an increase of 0.72% points compared to the October 2024 inflation rate, according to NBS’s latest Consumer Price Index (CPI) report which measures the rate of change in prices of goods and services.

“On a year-on-year basis, the Headline inflation rate was 6.40% points higher than the rate recorded in November 2023 (28.20%). This shows that the Headline inflation rate (year-on-year basis) increased in November 2024 compared to the same month in the preceding year (i.e., November 2023),” the Bureau said.

Significantly, food inflation rate in November 2024 was 39.93% on a year-on-year basis, 7.08% points higher than the rate recorded in November 2023 (32.84%).

News

Finally, PDP Flushes Out Suspended National Vice Chairman, Ali Odefa

Published

3 hours ago

December 18, 2024

Naijablitznews

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Oguduokwor Ward in Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State has formally announced the expulsion of the suspended National Vice Chairman (NVC) of the party in the Southeast, Mr. Ali Odefa from the party.

Ali Odefa was suspended from the party on September 11, 2024 by the Ward Executives of the party for his engagement in various anti party activities. The Federal High Court sitting in Abakaliki while ruling on suit NO: FHC/AI/CS/182/2024 further affirmed the suspension on November 29, 2024.

Announcing the expulsion of Mr. Odefa at a well- attended press conference on Wednesday, the Acting Chairman of the PDP Oguduokwor, Hon. Onyedikachi Herbert Ovuta flanked by other Ward Executives stated that the expulsion of the erstwhile NVC follows the recommendation of the Party’s disciplinary committee that affirmed the allegations of anti-party activities leveled.

According to the party chairman, “The expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa follows the report, findings and recommendations of the Ward Disciplinary Committee of the party which is in line with the provisions of the party constitution.”

The party announced that Mr. Ali Odefa by the virtue of his suspension, therefore “ceases to be a member of the party.”

The party’s statement reads in part:

“The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Oguduokowor Ward, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State hereby announce the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa, the suspended National Vice Chairman of the PDP, South East Zone from the party which takes immediate effect.

“The expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa follows the report, findings and recommendations of the Ward Disciplinary Committee of the party which is in line with the provisions of the party constitution.

“Recall that Chief Ali Odefa was suspended from the party by the Ward leadership on 11th September 2024.

“Consequent upon the judgement of the Federal High Court Abakaliki in suit number FHC/AI/CS/182/2024 which affirmed the suspension of Chief Ali Odefa, the Disciplinary Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward after their sittings on the above subject matter unanimously recommended that Chief Ali Odefa the Suspended PDP National Vice Chairman South East Zone be expelled from the party.

“The Executive Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward on 11th December 2024 after receiving the report, findings and recommendations of the Disciplinary Committee of PDP Oguduokwor Ward unanimously approved the expulsion of Chief Ali Odefa from the party which is compliance to section 58(1) and section 59(1) of the PDP constitution.

“Henceforth Chief Ali Odefa, seizes to be a member of our party the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)